Sci-Fi The Island at the Top of the World (1974)

BudBrewster

Captain
Title: The Island at the Top of the World (1974)

Tagline: Adventure beyond imagination

Genre: Adventure, Fantasy, Action, Science Fiction, Family

Director: Robert Stevenson

Cast: Donald Sinden, David Hartman, Jacques Marin, Mako, David Gwillim, Agneta Eckemyr, Sverre Anker Ousdal, Gunnar Öhlund, Lasse Kolstad, Erik Silju, Rolf Søder, Torsten Wahlund, Niels Hinrichsen, Denny Miller, Brendan Dillon, Ian Abercrombie

Release: 1974-12-16

Runtime: 93

Plot: A Victorian gentleman hopes to find his long-lost son, who vanished whilst searching for a mysterious Viking community in a volcanic valley somewhere in uncharted Arctic regions. The gentleman puts together an expedition team to go on the search, but when they reach their destination they must escape from some Viking descendants who will kill to keep their existence a secret.
The Island at the Top of the World (1974)

 
UEhISJo.jpg


This is an enjoyable adventure film from Disney, but it doesn't really measure up 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea or Journey to the Center of the Earth.

I can't quite put my finger on why it fell short of my expectations when I got it from Netflix a few years ago, but I liked it well enough to buy the DVD.

_________
jSMdqU4.jpg


It certainly has it moments, like the first "reveal" of the airship Hyperion when its lively little French inventor presents it to our stalwart "Professor Challenger" type scientists.

SjCbLhv.jpg


The dawn launch is beautiful, and it sets the right tone for an adventure which employs such a stately way to travel.

QlmkygL.jpg


Along the way we get a scene which is both exciting and humorous, when the French airship designer has to do an inflight repair that requires the skills of a trapeze artist!


It's a funny moment in the movie. :D

y69Pwgr.jpg


When the explorers reach the North Pole, the majestic maneuvers among the icebergs treat us to some impressive special effects.

5CBFDSN.jpg


I love airships almost as much as submarines. Both cruise serenely through their own medium with no need for engines other than to propel them forward. Airplanes fight the air . . . and without engines, the air wins!

As the poster below suggests, this movie does something unfortunate to the wonderful airship. The magnificent machine which carries our heroes on a great adventure is eventually treated badly, and it isn't brought back in good condition. :roll:


This has often happened in other movies, and I always hate it. How many times have we seen the Enterprise destroyed over the years? Filmmakers don't seem to think that an appealing and imaginative vehicle deserves the same respect and tender lovin' care the lovely heroine of any story does! :(

__________
2STwldP.jpg


The plot of this enjoyable movie seems to work harder and harder to get the audience excited, but somehow the excitement peaks early and levels off, never reaching the heights we hoped for.

Still, if you know not to expect too much, you'll enjoy it for what it is. Here's the trailer. (The picture quality is disappointing, I'm sorry to say.)

The Island at the Top of the World (trailer)

hqdefault.jpg
 
Great write up! At the moment I'm not recalling seeing this one; doesn't mean I haven't, just means my memory is not as good as it once was! :D

Since you mentioned Netflix I'll be adding this one to my queue. (y)
 
Thank you, sir!

I hope my comments adjusted your expectations so that you'll enjoy it without being disappointed in any way.

Incidentally, if you're interested in checking out another fine board, try the link below. (If you join, the "register by invitation" password you'll need is my user name, with no caps or spaces —. budbrewster.)

You'll discover that All Sci-Fi actively promotes other message boards, like Alien Soup. Threads on this board are listed in our Multi-Board Alphabetical Index. And there are links to threads on four other boards, each one listed under the movie or TV series titles!

ALL SCI-FI :: View topic - MULTI-BOARD ALPHABETICAL INDEX
 
Last edited:

Similar threads

Vampires vs. the Bronx (2020)
Tagline: They messed with the wrong neighborhood!
Genre: Comedy, Horror
Director: Oz Rodriguez
Release: 2020-10-02
Replies
1
Views
128
The Killer (2023)
Tagline: Execution is everything.
Genre: Crime, Thriller
Director: David Fincher
Release: 2023-10-25
Replies
1
Views
223
The Rift (1990)
Tagline: 'You Can't Hold your Breath & Scream at the Same Time'
Genre: Action, Horror, Mystery, Science Fiction, Thriller
Director: Juan Piquer Simón
Release: 1990-03-09
Replies
1
Views
229
Back
Top